Page 77 - Central America
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1912 SHIPWRECK - The wreck is partially exposed at the surface and BARBARTA WALL - 3 miles offshore from Roatan, the uninhabited,
large pieces of steel including the ship’s boiler can be seen. The reef in hilly island of Barbareta offers undiscovered reefs replete with cor-
this area also has a deep water cut and walls that can be explored. The al gardens, a dramatic mile-long wall, while the island is framed by
reef system extends for miles in each direction and many marines spe- white sandy beaches and coves; the wall is a continuous drop-off that
cies will be found. Be sure to swim the inside and outside reef areas to usually offers great pelagic encounters. This is a 3 mile reef running
get an appreciation of the corals and marine life that is typical along parallel to the islands. Huge sponges and gorgonians are common
the northern coastline. here. Large orange elephant ear sponges are surrounded by other va-
ANDY’S WALL - A colorful wall with soft and hard corals, often vis- riety of rope sponges and a great variety of marine life. Most of the
ited by groupers, schools of chubs, creole wrasse, horse-eye jacks and marine species that are found in the Bay Islands can be seen here.
black durgons among others. The wall starts at 60 feet and drops to This dive location makes a good drift dive spot for multiple dives.
160 feet. BARRACUDA - A top site with many different routes to explore. The
ANKA’S PLACE: a very shallow meandering wall with cascading cor- mooring sits in around 26 feet of water with a reef shelf underneath.
als and rope, tube, and barrel sponges. This site is also where you can To the east of the mooring there is a sandy area at around 44ft depth,
see where a large section of the reef has fallen off and into the deep this ideal for training, and also spotting the occasional southern sting
from the last major earthquake in 2009. A meandering wall with cas- ray, following the sand patch to the east look out for lobsters in the
cading corals and sand slopes decorated with hard and soft corals. base of the reef. In the reef surrounding the sand porcupine fish are
AGUILAR WRECK - This 210 foot cargo ship sits on the sand at often seen, carrying on north-east from the end of the sand patch
110 feet. It was sunk intentionally by Anthony’s Key Resort in 1997, takes you to an area called shark garden. There are barracudas around
broken into 3 by Hurricane Mitch in 1998 and further rearranged this site and its quite common for you to spot one at the beginning of
by Hurricane Wilma in 2005. As you go down you are met by huge a dive and then for the barracuda to follow you throughout your dive.
friendly groupers and blue parrot fish. There is a resident eel and some BARREL SPONGE - At this amazing wall you can find many differ-
wonderful coral has grown on the ship. Garden eels cover the deep. ent sponges and corals including huge barrel sponges and spectacular
Consider do the dive as a drift, starting at the wreck and then de- pillar corals. The drop-off is at 40 feet and drops to 180 feet. Very
compressing in the shallows. Lots of Bermuda Chubb, black durgons, often there are turtles, and eagle rays passing by, as well as morays.
groupers, schoolmasters, all hanging out at the top of the wall for an During the dive it is common to find several cleaning stations, and
exciting end to the dive while performing your safety stop. the safety stop you might even find a nurse shark sleeping in the sand
flat. Depth: 5 – 130 feet.
